“What do y’all say you leave me and Mr. Wright alone for a few moments? I’d like to get to know him.”

Jeremy was the first to stand, collecting his notebook and papers. Harley Oxbury’s group did the same.

Clara looked at Warner and gave him a gentle smile. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I didn’t see this coming.”

As she pulled away she gave him a wink and exited with the other men.

When the room was empty and the door had been shut Harley Oxbury stood up and unplugged the camera from its outlet.

“I guess they thought they’d keep that rolling. Not going to happen.” He sat down in the chair Jeremy had occupied. “Comfortable?”

Warner nodded.

“Good. So let’s get this out in the open. She’s a royal bitch.”

Warner tucked his lips between his teeth and tried not to smile, but the OX did.

“Fell for her hook, line, and sinker. Worst mistake I ever made.” He took the cigar from his mouth and held it between his fingers. “You know you made the worst mistake of your life when your mistress is the one who sells the intimate pictures of the two of you to the tabloids.”

Warner had never heard that side of the story.

“Well, cost me everything. I don’t blame my wife for leaving me. And hell, she did good moving on if I do say so myself, but that hurt.”

He took one of the glasses of water on the table, took a sip, and then extinguished his cigar in it.

“Okay, let’s make this clear. This ain’t about her. She’s been messing with you for years and I know, because I’ve been watching. You have some talent, kid.”

“Thank you.”

“You would have been signed five years ago had she let you be. But no one wants to touch you because of her. You see that don’t you?”

“Oh, I knew that.”

“Jeremy knew you had some talent, though I think he thought it was only in writing. But I think you and your wife can bust into those charts and quick. Love Song hands down is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard.”

Warner thought he still might die there with the man, but at least he’d die happy.

“So, I don’t think she’ll be messing with you too much longer, especially since she’s going to be broke.”

“How is that?”

“Her fortune was me paying her off. For years I’ve been feeding her to just let me be. She’d done all the damage she could do to me, but she shifted that to you.” He tapped his meaty fingers on the table. “That show of hers is going to replace her with my ex-wife, which I think is as funny as hell.”

Warner did let out a laugh there.

“I now own that company she bought into, but, son, a piece of business advice. If you only buy into something at twenty percent, you’re not doing any favors to yourself. Some S.O.B. moves in and buys you out.” That time Harley laughed.

“Anyway, this is going to air on your show. The world is going to know that you’re my new talent now.”

“You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“Sure I do. I once had a recording contract myself, remember.”

Warner chuckled. “Right.”

“Oh, and I’m signing your wife too.”

Warner had a giddy flutter in his stomach.

“Few more things. Those pictures were taken by Tom Wheeler. Your wife is on the up and up.”

“I know she is.”

“Well, since you’re our talent, and so is she, we plan to sue him for the libel. And Trent is in on that. His wife was so stressed it caused her early labor.”

“Is she okay?” Warner inched over the table.

“Yeah. They got her stopped. He got to be with her.”

That was the last thing Warner needed over his head. He was already upset that the world thought his wife had done anything with the man.

“When the tour resumes, Clara needs to finish out her contract.”

Warner nodded. That made sense.

“But now that Savannah is signed with our house we get to step in and make a few adjustments to the tour.”

Warner nodded again. He figured they’d pull Clara from it. No one needed that distraction anymore.

“You’ll be performing with her, so clear your schedule. We’re also extending her run as opener.”

“Really?”

“Unless you don’t want to work with your wife.”

“Oh, no. I can’t think of anything better.”

The OX winked at him and took another cigar out of this shirt pocket. “I thought so.”

“I guess we’ll let them in now.” He stood and rested his hand on Warner’s shoulder. “She’s not going to bother you anymore, son. You’re in my hands and the only thing people are going to read about you is your name on the top of those charts.”

Warner’s chest was going to explode his heart was still racing so fast. “Thank you, sir.”

The OX nodded and walked to the door to open it.

***

By the eleventh night of the Savannah concert the seats were filled when Clara took the stage. Wardrobe had redesigned her outfit to be a bit more casual, but she thought she was stunning.

“Hello, Denver!” she shouted and the crowd at the Pepsi Center reciprocated with a loud roar.

“Let’s get this party going.” She hit the first chords of the first song and her voice rang through the speakers. As she started the second verse another guitar added to hers and from the side of the stage Warner walked out, dressed head to toe in a black fitted T-Shirt, black tight jeans, and a matching black set of boots. His guitar strap matched hers, lined in rhinestones. Hers said Mrs. and his said Mr.

When their voices paired the crowd was on their feet.

And as Warner’s songs were filling the voices of those gathered to hear them, Clara took a step back so he was spotlighted.

Their set was wrapping up when the monstrous drum beat began behind them. When the curtain rose The Broke Tourists were there and the song grew in intensity.

Their vocalists moved forward and in between Clara and Warner. They were all singing his song and the crowd was eating it up.

Trent took his solo next to Clara and she smiled as his notes rang through the arena.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, The Broke Tourists!” She introduced them.

“And we are the Wrights! Thanks for having us!” Warner said.